Rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis, three of the most common STIs in the US, rose dramatically for the fourth consecutive year in Denver. In 2019, chlamydia infections went up 24%, syphilis 75%, and gonorrhea 150%.
The current state of sexually transmitted infections in Denver is beyond alarming and experts say numerous factors contributed to the situation, including reduced STI screening, increasing number of sexual partners, and general decrease in condom use. On average, women under 30 in Denver screen for STIs only once every three years.
Undetected and untreated infections may not only cause infertility and potentially life-threatening complications but also increase the overall risk of contracting HIV. The good news s that regular screening and timely therapy can reduce the alarming rates of STDs in Denver. Here are all the STD testing options at your disposal in the city.
STD Testing Options In Denver
You can check and monitor your STD status in Denver by opting for at-home STD testing, online STD testing with clinics, STD testing at clinics or free/low-cost STD testing.
At-home STD testing kits allow you to screen for the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the US from the privacy of your home. After receiving your order, your chosen provider will send a direct-to-customer testing kit to your home address. The packages are always discrete and inconspicuous, so nobody will ever know that you are getting tested for STDs, which makes at-home screening the most private option at your disposal. When you collect the required biological specimen(s), you need to mail it back to the processing lab and you will receive your report in just a couple of days. The results are usually sent online. Bottom line, at-home STD testing in Denver allows you to remain completely anonymous by skipping doctor’s appointments, crowded waiting rooms, and awkward sex talk with strangers.
Online STD testing providers with partnered draw centers are very similar to at-home companies with one important difference – the actual sample collection is performed in a brick & mortar clinic instead of your home. Apart from this, the procedure is pretty much the same. Having said that, this option is still superior to state clinics since you do not have to make an appointment and you will receive your results much faster as renowned online STD testing providers have numerous partner labs and usually experience no backlogs.
If you choose to go with private or state clinics, you will have to make an appointment well in advance. It is important to keep in mind that clinics have a slower turnaround time than online STD providers due to overcrowded processing labs. When it comes to pricing, you will also have to account for additional doctor’s fees, copays, and other potential expenses. Unfortunately, with clinics, STD testing is not exactly anonymous and if you test positive, your report will become a part of your permanent medical record.
Finally, there are free STD testing options in Denver, but unless you earn next to nothing, you will most likely need to pay for your test. In order to receive free testing, in addition to having a low income, you need to show visible symptoms associated with STDs. Since 80% of all infections remain asymptomatic, however, you should not wait until the symptoms present themselves to get tested.
| Austin, TX | At-Home STD Testing | Online STD Testing With Clinic | STD Testing At Clinics | Free STD Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $80+ individual tests, $100+ STD panels | $24+ individual tests, $100+ STD panels | Single tests: $10-$30 w/ insurance; $50-$200 w/o insurance, STD panels: $300-$400 | Free, but you have to qualify |
| Insurance Accepted | N/A | |||
| Sample Collection | Your home | Partnered draw centers | Clinic | Facilities of the testing provider |
| STD Panels Available | ||||
| Appointments | ||||
| Same-Day Testing | Free clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so maybe | |||
| Anonymous Testing | ||||
| Testing Accuracy | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% |
| Turnaround Time | 1-5 days | 1-3 days | Up to 2 weeks | Depends on the number of samples in the lab |
| Online results | Rarely | |||
| Free Private Consultations | ||||
| Free Presciptions |
Let us explore some of the best STD testing providers in Denver:
At-Home STD Testing
MyLab Box is a premium online service that allows its users to test potential exposure to STDs without ever leaving their homes. The company features a wide array of reliable FDA-approved single kits and convenient panels and delivers results with 99.99% accuracy in just 1-5 business days. The testing process is 100% discreet and helps you avoid awkward sessions with your doctor, sitting in crowded waiting rooms, and talking about your sex life with strangers.
- True at-home STD testing in Denver
- Testing kits made in the US
- CLIA-certified labs in all 50 states
- Free shipping
- Free doctor consultations and prescriptions
- Partnership with more than 1,000 pharmacies nationwide
Online STD Testing With Clinic
STDCheck is one of the best STD testing providers on the market with more than 4,500 testing centers nationwide. Unlike regular clinics, it allows you to place your order online, pick the closest draw center, and provide the relevant sample in just 5 minutes without ever waiting in lines, talking about your symptoms or explaining why you suspect potential exposure to STDs.
- 100% confidential testing
- FDA-approved testing solutions/CLIA-certified labs
- Same-day STD testing/results in 1-2 business days
- Individual tests + panels
- Numerous payment options
- STD Test Recommender
- Free doctor consultations + sessions with care advisors
Some of the available STDCheck locations in Denver, Colorado include:
Quest Diagnostics
695 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
4567 East 9th Avenue Basement Level, Denver, CO 80220
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM);
360 S Garfield St Ste 551, Denver, CO 80209
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
3555 Lutheran Pkwy, Ste 130, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
(Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Labcorp
4500 E 9th Ave Ste 430, Denver, CO 80220
(Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM);
3555 Lutheran Pkwy Ste 120, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM);
8015 W Alameda Ave, Ste 30, Lakewood, CO 80226
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM)
There are 25 partnered clinics in the 12-mile radius and you can find them all on the official website simply by entering your zip code inside the proprietary Find-a-Lab tool.
STD Testing At Clinics
When it comes to private and state STD testing clinics, Denver features just a couple of options, including:
STD Testing at Denver Public Health
605 Bannock St Fl 1, Denver, CO 80204, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Confidential STD Testing Centers
560 Corona St, Denver, CO 80218, United States
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sat 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Free STD Testing
Planned Parenthood has four locations in Denver, including:
921 E 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80218, United States
(Mon 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tue-Thu 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat-Sun 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
7155 E 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80207, United States
(Mon 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tue 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Wed 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Thu 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
6310 E Exposition Ave, Denver, CO 80224, United States
(Mon 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tue-Thu 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wed 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
1400 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80232, United States
(Mon 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tue 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wed 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Thu 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Fri 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Women can also receive free STD testing at Alternative Pregnancy Centers in Denver:
1440 Blake Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80202
(Mon-Fri 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
441 Wadsworth Boulevard, Suite 225, Lakewood, CO 80226
(Mon-Thu 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
14221 East 4th Avenue, Suite 220, Aurora, CO 80011
(Mon-Wed-Fri 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Tue 12:00 AM – 6:00 PM); services in Spanish provided on Wednesdays